Dr. Silke Launert, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space, participated in the German Jordanian University’s (GJU) 20th anniversary celebrations, held under the theme: “Two Nations, One Vision: 20 Years of Innovation at GJU.”
During her visit, Dr. Launert met with GJU President, Prof. Ala’aldeen Al-Halhouli, who welcomed her and presented an overview of the university’s achievements. She also met with GJU students, visited the university’s Technology, Research and Innovation Complex, the Deanship of Innovation, Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship, and toured several campus laboratories, including the School of Nursing and the School of Applied Technical Sciences.
Dr. Launert also attended the Class of 2025 graduation ceremony, where she met a number of students and learned about their academic experiences and daily life on campus. She praised the students’ enthusiasm and scientific curiosity, highlighting the importance of GJU’s distinguished applied programs—such as the Nursing Program, which prepares qualified graduates for careers in both Jordan and Germany, where students spend a full academic year gaining valuable practical and cultural experience.
During the university’s 20th anniversary final ceremony, Dr. Launert delivered a keynote speech in which she commended the achievements GJU has made over the past two decades. She noted that the university has become a leading academic model with more than 5,000 students, 120 partner universities in Germany, and hundreds of collaborations with the industrial sector.
She emphasized that the German Jordanian University is not merely a place of study, but a cultural and academic bridge connecting Jordan and Germany, strengthening values of cooperation, innovation, and applied education. She also praised the university’s extensive partnerships with German institutions, stressing that its programs advance scientific research and academic exchange at a global level.
She stated: “I was truly impressed by the students’ energy, enthusiasm, and scientific curiosity—and by the passion and creativity they bring to their work. The German Jordanian University connects people and ideas across borders and stands as a living symbol of transnational education.”
Dr. Launert highlighted the continuous support provided by German partner universities since GJU’s establishment, including Magdeburg–Stendal University of Applied Sciences and the Würzburg–Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences, through joint programs and innovative educational initiatives such as new online programs. She confirmed that this partnership continues to generate new ideas in teaching and scientific research.
She also noted that GJU has once again advanced in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, ranking among the top five universities in Jordan and standing out internationally due to its strength in research and academic collaboration. She reaffirmed the continued support of the ministry and the DAAD for this partnership, given its significant impact on sustainable development in both Jordan and Germany.
For his part, GJU President Prof. Al-Halhouli expressed his deep appreciation for Dr. Launert’s visit, stating: “The presence of our German partners today reflects the depth of the Jordanian–German partnership and reaffirms the university’s pivotal role in advancing applied education and research-driven innovation. We are proud of what our students and faculty have achieved over the past two decades, and we remain committed to expanding international cooperation and strengthening the bonds of knowledge and culture between our two countries.”
He added: “Everything we achieve today would not be possible without the support of our German partners and the passion and creativity of our students and academic staff. This makes the future brighter for the university and for all.”
Dr. Launert concluded by affirming that this international partnership—uniting university leaders, students, staff, and industry and research partners—creates a future that blends innovation with education and brings people and ideas together. She wished the university continued success and leadership in the years ahead.